Hi,
I am just a bit confused about the student loan and if I am eligible for the loan. I checked on the government website and it says I have to be 3 years on the first day of the course in other to be granted the loan and I will be 4 years and 9 months in this country by the time my course starts. However close relatives and some other people from university tell me that I have to be 5 years in this country before I will be eligible for loan. Our household income is below 21k per annum. So should I apply for the loan anyways? or what other steps can I take at this point? I will be going to university 2018. Help please!

I think your relatives and people from the uni are a bit confused between tuition fee loans, which help cover the cost of the course at uni, and a maintenance loan, which is for the cost of living.

As far as I understand, if you've lived in the country for 3+ years on the start date of your course, you are eligible for a tuition fee loan.
If you've lived here for 5+ years on the start date of your course, you may also be able to get a maintenance loan to help you with the cost of living at uni - food, drinks, clothes, rent etc.